Makeshift memorial grows where Clay teen died in hit-and-run crash

Robert A. Baker / The Post-StandardThree teens from Clay rode their bicycles Friday to the spot where Joseph J. Ozimek died early Wednesday morning in a hit-and-run crash. They are, from left, Tyrone Worley, 17; Bradley Menickelly, 19, and V.J. Menickelly, 15.

Clay, NY -- A makeshift memorial has grown at a Centro bus stop on Oswego Road, marking the spot where Joseph J. Ozimek III, 19, died early Wednesday morning.

Flowers, pictures, notes, balloons and more have been dropped off at the scene near Willowbrook Drive.

Bradley Menickelly, 19; his brother V.J. Menickelly, 15, and Tyrone Worley, 17, rode their bicycles to the memorial about 2 p.m. today, where they stood silently.

"You don't know how serious it is until it happens to someone close to you," he said. "You can't explain it, you can only feel it."

Bradley Menickelly said he lives across the street from Ozimek's home. He remembered Ozimek as shy and quiet.

Bradley Menickelly said he attended Liverpool High School with both Ozimek and Aaron Sakran, 19, the man accused of striking Ozimek and then driving off.

Sakran was charged Thursday with criminally negligent homicide and leaving the scene of a fatal motor vehicle accident. He was released from custody today after posting a $25,000 bail bond, according to Justice Center Jail officials.

Menickelly said that he attended "a whole bunch of classes" with Sakran, but that Sakran and Ozimek did not know each other.

Bradley Menickelly said it was his second trip to the memorial.

Calling hours will be 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, at the Maurer Funeral Home, 300 Second St., Liverpool. Services will be 11 a.m. Monday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Liverpool Village Cemetery. Read the obituary for Joseph J. Ozimek III.